Josh Kramer, a luminary in the world of film production, financing, and executive leadership at Amazon, passed away on November 27 in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 67.
Embarking on his entertainment journey in foreign sales for Dino De Laurentiis, the Italian producer, Kramer’s strategic prowess in pre-selling foreign movie rights became indispensable. He played a pivotal role in financing notable films like “Manhunter” and “Blue Velvet.” His legacy included spearheading the acquisition of Madonna’s inaugural concert film, “Madonna: Truth or Dare,” and subsequently orchestrating its international distribution.
Rachael Horovitz, Kramer’s colleague at De Laurentiis, fondly reminisced about him on his memorial site, describing him as a “concert pianist who helped right the Beastie Boys tour bus one night in Paris when rabid fans were tipping it over; a patient negotiator who cried reading J.D. Salinger. His contradictions made him.”
In the early ’90s, Kramer partnered with Thom Mount to establish the Mount/Kramer Company, contributing to the production of acclaimed works such as Roman Polanski’s “Death and the Maiden” and Sidney Lumet’s “Night Falls on Manhattan.” His journey continued as the head of sales for Capitol Films, involvement in international acquisitions at MGM, and collaboration with artist and engineer Chuck Hoberman on inventive projects.
Transitioning to Amazon, Kramer played a foundational role as the initial licensing expert for Amazon Unbox. He played a pivotal role in forging relationships with Hollywood studios and TV networks, enhancing Amazon’s video platform. Leading Amazon Studios’ motion picture business operations from 2014 to 2018, Kramer crafted the original business plan, recruited top-tier leadership, and devised distribution strategies for notable films, including Spike Lee’s “Chiraq,” “Manchester By the Sea,” and “The Big Sick.”
In 2021, Kramer ventured into the intersection of creative artistry and blockchain technology by founding BKopy.io. Under his guidance, BKopy.io successfully launched Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash NFT at Sotheby’s in early 2023. Concurrently, Kramer served as the managing partner of Resonance Content, catering to clients such as The Boston Globe, K Period Media, and The Wildcard Alliance.
Hailing from Teaneck, N.J., Kramer, a Brown graduate with an MBA from Wharton, left an indelible mark not only in the business world but also as an accomplished classical pianist, a published short fiction author, a potter, a knitter, and a self-taught computer whiz. He is survived by his wife Kathie, son Jack, and brother Ken.